I’m guessing a lot of you have run into the same conundrum I have in the past month: you want – need – to get outside, but not only is it hot, but there’s a good chance it’s raining cats and dogs.

Heat’s one thing to content with. Rain is one thing to contend with. And when you get the two together, it’s a real pain to stay comfortable outside for any length of time.

If you’re running into this situation, you really have two choices: let yourself get soaked, or bring the right lightweight rain gear.

The first is easy, especially when it’s nearing triple-digits outside. A good wicking t-shirt and breathable wicking shorts are key – think about how fast swim trunks dry when you get out of the pool. Plenty of clothing manufacturers make clothes that work in this manner, and often as not, it’s just as easy to wear swim trunks and sandals around.

The second option takes a little more work. You want a rain jacket and pants set that breathes (look for lots of vents in the back and underarm areas), keeps the rain off reasonably well (as with any waterproof fabric, you’re going to pay more for more protection – don’t expect a Gore-Tex jacket to cost the same as a nylon model), and packs to a small size. You want to be able to stash the gear when the sun comes back out.

Once you find the right rain gear, treat it well. Avoid briars and the various outdoor things that can puncture the fabric. If you stash it wet, air it out as soon as possible to avoid mildew. And follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to clean and re-waterproof it; one trip through the wrong laundry cycle can be enough to wreck some lighter rain gear.

So have fun in the rain; if you prep right, summer rain showers are no worse than the drizzle you hunt in half the fall. And like that drizzle that often sparks game movement, summer thundershowers can trigger memorable bites on even mediocre fishing days.